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United Airlines pilot kicks flight attendant off flight
A non-stop United Airlines flight bound for Chicago from Sao Paulo diverted to Miami early Tuesday morning after the captain reportedly argued with a crew member who was not "respecting his authority". (I think there's a Cartman/South Park joke in there somewhere.)
Rather than continue the argument in the air, (which might have prompted the threat, "If you don't behave, I will turn this plane around!") the captain made the decision to divert the aircraft to Miami to resolve the issue on the ground. The unscheduled stop lasted about an hour. The FAA and United are investigating the incident.
So much for flying the "friendly" skies.
[via Flightglobal]
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Jul 17th 2009 2:56PM
"....he said that his mother was a state official and that I should respect her authori-tah..."
steve326m Jul 18th 2009 3:05AM
This can't be real.... To inconvenience 100+ "paying" passengers, not to mention the extra jet fuel needed for take off #2 plus the extra airport usage fees over a stupid disagreement that could have been easily settled by United Administration personnel at their final destination, he lands the plane early just to thump his chest in authority? What's wrong with this picture? Katie, back to you...God Bless...
masanddjs Jul 18th 2009 3:09AM
This story is a bit incomplete. What's the reasoning? What did the F/A do?
How about more info?
craig Jul 21st 2009 7:41PM
This captain has a "GOD COMPLEX" for sure !!!!!!!!!
sheflin45 Jul 30th 2009 7:33PM
Did you ever think that maybe the flight attendant was the one with the complex. After all they call them "Captain" because they are in command during the flight. I do think it was a bit extreme landing to kick her off. However, there is such a thing as respect authority.
janice Aug 8th 2009 11:06PM
she wouldn't interupt her first class service to take hime his "crew dec" a piece of documentation he would not need for another 10 hours. she offered to bring it to him on the next "potty break" but.no.......he wanted it NOW. he scared the crap out of all the pax and crew.called the f/a a terorist to the tsa and fbi..he has been suspended from flying..............................
Cheryl Essex Aug 28th 2009 7:30PM
I was engaged to an airline captain - talk about an ego on & off the plane! We were together almost 5 years & I lost track of how many times I witnessed the "I am the Captain/God & all flight attendants are nothing more than a flying waitress who serves beverages, picks up trash & makes my life miserable low life peon" .
So for all of you who think the F/A did something to justify this action, please think again. One of many " F/A jokes" that Captains love to tell is: "Why is there a door between the cockpit & rest of the plane? Answer: to keep flight attendants out" - I'm not kidding!
On one trip from DTW to SEA, there were numerous delays because of weather, mechanicals, etc. & by the time we landed all of the F/As had almost exceeded the maximum # of hours they are allowed to work within 24 hrs.
At the hotel check-in, one of them approached "GOD" to discuss the matter as they were all scheduled back out with him & asked him to please delay the flight since it was already so late.
OMG - all heck broke lose!!! He yelled, threatened & pulled out the official airline manual which I thought he would throw at them - how dare they approach him with such a menial matter. He didn't care that it was within a few minutes of the 24 hr. rule - go away.
Meanwhile, he called scheduling & we ended up staying an extra 24 hrs. to assure he had the proper rest. In case you are not familiar with the airline world, there are 2 distinct set of regs & yes, Captain out trumps F/A every time. Those exhausted attendents lost & were up very early to work the return flight.
I broke the engagement not too long after that incident & recently heard through the grapevine that he had married for the 3rd time. Guess who - a F/A that works for the same airline. I believe that what goes around, comes around & I'm still laughing my a.. off!
Finnie Sep 14th 2009 11:31PM
These are the basic facts: Completed Gen Decs were given to capt. 10 minutes after take off. Purser was in Business Class for 15 minutes, during that time capt. called for "Crew Decs." When she returned to First Class, she was told of his request. She called him and asked if she could bring them up in about 10 minutes with his meal...as security procedures require several Flight Attendants to guard cockpit. He demanded them immediately. She said ...ok. She was sitting in her jumpseat retrieving them and her phone rang again...the captain was screaming he wanted Crew Decs NOW!! She said she was right there getting them. She slide them under cockpit door as is often done to maintain cockpit security. She coordinated 2 relief breaks for the cockpit without any problem or any sign of problem with the captain. Six hours later she was awakened from her break and told to prepare for landing in Miami. She later said she immediately feared the worst...they were going to crash and they had to "prep" the cabin. As it turns out the captain told her she was being removed from the flight for safety reasons. When she asked what she did??...he said, "talk to your supervisor about it in Chicago." Another Flight Attendant was on the interphone and "verbally witnessed" the conversation. They were shocked. She went to every cabin and explained to her flying partners what she knew to be happening. She deplaned in MIA and directly dead headed to Chicago where she received a very warm reception from United management and her flying partners. The captain has been "seperated permanetly" from United Airlines and the Purser is continuing to fly her schedule...draw your own conclusion.